A Grand Slam Final Rematch
For the second time this year, Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina will happen in a Grand Slam final. The 2026 US Open final takes place on Saturday, September 12, at Arthur Ashe Stadium, starting at 4 p.m. local time. Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, is aiming to become the first player to win three consecutive US Open titles since Serena Williams did it from 2012 to 2014. Rybakina, meanwhile, is looking for her second major title of 2026 after defeating Sabalenka at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Head-to-Head and Final History
This will be the 18th meeting between the two players on the WTA Tour. Sabalenka leads the head-to-head record 10-7. They have also faced each other in major finals twice before, and they have split those encounters. Saturday’s match will be their third major final against each other.
How Sabalenka Reached the Final
Sabalenka, the top seed, has had a strong run to the final. She defeated Camila Osorio in the first round, Polina Iatcenko in the second, Kamilla Rakhimova in the third, Taylor Townsend in the fourth, Linda Noskova in the quarterfinals, and Jessica Pegula in the semifinals. Her semifinal win over Pegula was her 10th victory over the American. Sabalenka is now into her fourth consecutive US Open final. A win on Saturday would give her a fifth career major title and her 20th consecutive win at the US Open.
How Rybakina Reached the Final
Rybakina has also played impressive tennis to reach her first US Open final. She defeated Thea Frodin in the first round, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the second, Yuliia Starodubtseva in the third, Naomi Osaka in the fourth, Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals, and Coco Gauff in the semifinals. Her win over Gauff was her second career comeback victory at a Grand Slam against a top-10 opponent. Rybakina is now into her fourth major final overall. She previously won the 2022 Wimbledon final against Ons Jabeur.
Prize Money and Ranking Points
The singles champion on Saturday will earn $5.5 million, while the runner-up will take home $2.8 million. The tournament offered a total of $108 million in prize money this year. In doubles, the winning pair shares $1 million, and the second-place team splits $500,000. As with all Grand Slams, 2000 ranking points are on the line for the winner, while the runner-up receives 1300 points. Regardless of the result, Rybakina is set to become the new World No. 1 on Monday, with Sabalenka dropping to No. 2.
Read More: Rybakina vs Sabalenka: The Gladiators’ Battle From The Past
Key Stats for Sabalenka
Sabalenka has become the fifth player since 1988 to reach at least eight Grand Slam finals as World No. 1. She is also the first female or male player in the Open Era to reach eight consecutive Grand Slam finals on hard court. At this year’s US Open, her winner-to-unforced-error differential is +141, which is the best of any player in the tournament. Pegula is next-best at +21.
Key Stats for Rybakina
Rybakina can become the first player to defeat past women’s singles champions in both the semifinal and final at the US Open since Justine Henin in 2007. She is the fifth player in the past two decades to reach both the Australian Open and US Open finals in the same season. Since the end of last year’s US Open, Rybakina holds the best win rate against WTA top-10 opponents at 75 percent. She has claimed the most top-10 wins over the last year with an 18-6 record.
What the Players Said
Sabalenka said that if she faces Rybakina, it will be a really tough match. She described Rybakina as a big server who has improved her baseline game over the years. Sabalenka added that she is ready for the fight and ready to do everything to get the win. She also said she keeps the same routine and has learned to shut down outside noise over the last couple of months.
Rybakina said the two have played many times and described Sabalenka as a very aggressive player with a big game and big serve. She said she will need to bring all her energy and her best serve against Sabalenka, and make the right decisions in the right moments because most of the time the score is tight. Rybakina added that it is an important match, but since it is a final, it does not matter who is on the other side. She said she does not want to put too much pressure on herself because the rankings are very close, and even if something goes wrong, she still has more opportunities later in the year.
What to Expect from Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina promises to be a close and competitive match. Both players are in excellent form, and the head-to-head record shows how evenly matched they are. With the World No. 1 ranking also on the line, there is plenty at stake beyond the trophy. Fans can expect a high-quality contest between two of the best players in women’s tennis.